Finding Mental Health (1 Kings 19)

Imagine standing at the edge of the woods at dusk. The path before you weaves into the darkness, and the night is fast approaching. You know you must go through this forest to reach the light on the other side, but the way is unclear, and the shadows deepen with every passing moment. This forest is like the mental and emotional landscapes we navigate in our lives with the shadows representing moments of despair, anxiety, chronic struggles, and the profound sense of being overwhelmed by the burdens we carry. The question that looms large in the dimming light is, "How do we find our way through the shadows?" The problem we face is not just navigating our everyday challenges but doing so in a way that keeps our faith and hope intact, that keeps us moving toward the light, even when it seems but a distant flicker on the horizon.

Today, we will explore how the Scriptures not only acknowledge the reality of these shadows but also offer us the lanterns of truth, hope, and community to guide our steps. Once again, there aren’t a ton of verses that provide step by step instructions on how to deal with this. Today, we will see that even the most faithful are not strangers to the forest of shadows. Yet, within these stories and the broader counsel of God's Word, we find our questions answered and our problems addressed with divine wisdom and compassion.

As we journey together through this sermon, let us hold tightly to the promise that even in the darkest woods, a path lit by the grace of God leads us forward. The question is not whether the light exists, but how we walk towards it, guided by the principles God has laid down in His Word. Let's take these first steps together, seeking the light in the shadows.

Elijah’s’ Highs & Lows

Imagine, if you will, standing atop Mount Carmel, where fire from heaven just consumed your sacrifice, proving the Lord is God and Baal is nothing. This is Elijah, a prophet of unmatched faith, yet not so different from you and me. Fast forward a bit, and we find this same Elijah under a solitary broom tree in the wilderness, praying for death. “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4).

1 Kings 19:4 (ESV) — 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

The Descent into Despair

What leads a man from victory's heights to the depths of despair? Jezebel’s threat sends him fleeing for his life, yes, but it’s more than physical fear. Elijah is emotionally spent, spiritually drained, and utterly alone—or so he feels. Here lies the first hint of mental struggle from God’s Word we will look at today. In this story, we see that even the mightiest among us can find themselves in the grip of despair, questioning their worth, their purpose, their very desire to live.

Our Common Struggle

You see, Elijah’s story is our story. Who among us hasn’t faced the wilderness of burnout, depression, or loneliness? We labor, we strive, we give all we have to give—and yet, it can seem as if the heavens are brass above us. In our darkest moments, under our broom trees, we too may wish to escape it all.

The Divine Response

1 Kings 19:5–8 (ESV) — 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

But notice—God doesn’t reprimand Elijah for his despair. Instead, He meets Elijah right where he is: in his exhaustion, in his sorrow. God sends an angel, not once but twice, to touch him, to feed him, to encourage him to rest. “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you” (1 Kings 19:7). Later, we read that God encourages Elijah, telling him that he is not alone. There are 7,000 who have not bowed a knee to Baal. In our own wilderness, God’s approach remains unchanged. He meets us with tenderness, providing not just for our spiritual needs but for our physical and emotional ones as well.

The Lesson for Us

Elijah’s journey teaches us that it's okay to not be okay. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed by life's demands. But here’s the crux: in our lowest, God’s provision is most apparent. He nourishes us, He allows us rest, He prepares us for what comes next. And so, we must learn to accept that divine provision, to recognize our limits, and to understand that our worth is not tied to our productivity or our victories on the mountaintops.

In closing this first chapter of our exploration today, let Elijah’s story remind us that despair does not disqualify us from God’s love or His purpose. Rather, it might just be the soil in which God grows our deepest dependence on Him. For in our weakness, His strength is made perfect. Let us, therefore, take heart in our own wilderness moments, for the Lord our God is with us, tenderly leading us through to the other side.

Paul - Thorn in the Flesh

Transitioning from the dusty wilderness of Elijah’s despair, we journey forward to a different kind of struggle, one that plagues the Apostle Paul. Here is a man acquainted with both the heights of spiritual revelation and the depths of physical torment. Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh," a relentless messenger of Satan sent to buffet him (2 Corinthians 12:7). While he leaves the nature of this thorn ambiguous, its impact is undeniably clear—Paul is in a state of continual suffering, a plight he pleads with the Lord to remove.

2 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV) — 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

The Persistent Thorn

This thorn, my friends, is emblematic of our own persistent struggles. It could be chronic pain, ongoing depression, relentless anxiety, or any number of incessant trials that whisper despair into our weary hearts. Like Paul, we find ourselves pleading with God for relief, for an end to our suffering, yet the thorn remains.

God’s Unfathomable Response

But it's God's response to Paul that turns our understanding on its head: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). In a world that prizes strength, independence, and self-sufficiency, this divine perspective is revolutionary. God is saying that our weaknesses, rather than disqualifying us or rendering us ineffective, actually serve as conduits for His power and grace.

Our Struggle Reframed

What does this mean for us? It means that our struggles, our thorns, are not merely obstacles to be overcome but are opportunities for God's power to be displayed in our lives. Our vulnerabilities become the very spaces in which God’s strength shines brightest. This is not a call to passive resignation but to active reliance on God's sufficiency.

The Lesson for Us

2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV) — 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s thorn teaches us to embrace our limitations and to see them as the backdrop against which God’s grace and power are most vividly displayed. When we are weak, then we are strong—not by our might but by the power of Christ that rests upon us (2 Corinthians 12:10). This is the paradox of the Christian life: that in admitting our inability, we tap into the infinite ability of God.

So, as we navigate our own battles, let us remember Paul’s thorn and the profound truth it reveals. Our weaknesses are not signs of failure but markers of divine strength. In every moment of pain, every hour of doubt, let us echo Paul's resolve to boast all the more gladly in our weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on us. For in our most profound weakness, we find God’s most profound strength.

Jesus’ Agony

From the personal struggles and despair of Elijah and Paul, we now turn our gaze to a garden called Gethsemane. Here, we encounter Jesus Christ, not just as our Lord and Savior, but as a man deeply acquainted with sorrow and the very pinnacle of mental anguish. On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus finds Himself overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (Matthew 26:38). This moment reveals the depth of His humanity and the profound weight of our sin He bore.

The Depth of Desolation

In the cool of the night, amidst the olive groves, Jesus kneels, His friends nearby yet worlds away in their understanding. He prays, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). Here is the Son of God, wrestling with the looming specter of the cross, the abandonment, the wrath for sin He would bear—our sin.

Connecting to Our Struggles

Gethsemane speaks to the heart of every believer who has faced the night alone, wrestling with uncertainties, the future, or the Father’s will. Jesus’ anguish mirrors our own moments of deep anxiety and stress, where the way forward is clouded, and God’s plan seems a mystery. Yet, in His darkest hour, Jesus does not turn from the Father; He turns to Him.

The Solution in the Story

What Gethsemane teaches us is profound: the path through suffering is not avoidance but submission to the Father’s will. Jesus, in His agony, models the act of surrendering our desires, our fears, and our futures to God, trusting in His perfect plan. This act of submission is not passive but a fierce and active trust in the Father, even when the cup cannot pass, even when the night is long.

The Lesson for Us

Our Gethsemane moments are those times when faith is refined, where our trust in God is deepened beyond the superficial. Jesus’ response to His impending suffering provides us with the ultimate example of how to face our deepest fears and anxieties: not in isolation, but in prayerful submission to God, resting in the assurance of His love and sovereign plan.

As we reflect on Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane, let it remind us that our Savior is intimately familiar with our struggles. He has traversed the darkest valleys and emerged victorious. In our own moments of Gethsemane, may we find the courage to say, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done.” For in surrendering to God’s will, we discover the peace that comes from trusting in His perfect love and sovereign power.

Harmonizing Our Spiritual Practices for Mental Well-being

As we navigate the complexities of mental health, Scripture guides us not only through the narratives of those who have gone before us but also through timeless principles that speak directly to our condition. Let's explore how integrating solitude with God, experiencing His peace, engaging in community, and renewing our minds offers a cohesive, biblical approach to mental health.

A. Embracing Solitude for Deep Connection with God

Solitude stands as a foundational practice for mental and spiritual health, exemplified by Jesus Himself. Before engaging the world, Jesus sought the quiet of the early morning or the stillness of the night to commune with the Father (Mark 1:35). This deliberate withdrawal to solitary places models for us the importance of setting aside dedicated times and spaces for prayer and meditation. In these moments of solitude, we lay the groundwork for our mental well-being, casting our cares onto God and listening for His guiding voice.

Mark 1:35 (ESV) — 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

B. Experiencing the Peace of God Through Prayer and Supplication

Flowing from the practice of solitude is the experience of God's peace, a tranquility that transcends human understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). This peace doesn't emerge from the absence of trouble but from the presence of God within our struggles. As we bring our anxieties, fears, and requests to God in prayer, with thankfulness for His faithfulness, we open ourselves to receive His peace. This peace acts as a guard over our hearts and minds, protecting us from the overwhelm of life's storms.

Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV) — 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:6–7 (ESV) — 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

C. Renewing Our Minds in the Truth of Scripture

Central to maintaining our mental health is the renewal of our minds, a process underscored by Paul's exhortations in Colossians 3:2 and Romans 12:2. This renewal involves immersing ourselves in Scripture, allowing God's Word to transform our perspectives, beliefs, and reactions. By replacing lies with truth, fear with faith, and despair with hope, we cultivate a mindset anchored in the realities of God's kingdom, empowering us to face life's challenges with resilience and grace.

Colossians 3:2 (ESV) — 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Romans 12:2 (ESV) — 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

D. Engaging in Community for Support and Encouragement

While solitude nourishes our personal relationship with God, engagement in Christian community provides the support, encouragement, and accountability we need to thrive (Hebrews 10:24-25). Sharing our burdens, celebrating our victories, and walking alongside one another in prayer and fellowship reflect the communal aspect of our faith. In community, we find a tangible expression of God's love and care, reminding us that we are not meant to journey alone.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) — 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

E. Anchoring Our Hope in Christ

Ultimately, our mental and spiritual health is sustained by the hope we have in Christ—a hope that is steadfast and sure (Romans 15:13; Hebrews 10:23). This hope anchors us in the truth of God's promises, the certainty of Christ's victory over sin and death, and the assurance of our eternal inheritance. It is this hope that infuses our lives with meaning, purpose, and the strength to persevere through every trial.

Romans 15:13 (ESV) — 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV) — 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health

By weaving together the practices of solitude, prayer, scripture meditation, community engagement, and hope in Christ, we adopt a holistic approach to mental health that aligns with biblical principles. This approach invites us to experience God's peace, transform our thinking, and find strength in both our personal relationship with God and our connections within the body of Christ. Let us commit to integrating these practices into our lives, trusting that God will guide us into greater wholeness and well-being.

As our journey through the shadows of the forest draws to a close, we emerge with a deeper understanding and a renewed hope. The stories of Elijah, Paul, and Jesus, alongside the principles of casting our cares on God, seeking His peace in solitude, renewing our minds through His Word, finding strength in community, and anchoring our hope in Christ, light our path through the darkest woods.

Let us remember that the shadows of mental health struggles, though real and often daunting, do not have the final say. We are equipped with divine tools and the presence of a loving God who walks beside us every step of the way. The light on the other side of the forest is not a distant dream but a present reality for those who trust in God's guidance and lean on His strength.

As we step forward from this place, may we carry the light we've received into the shadows around us, offering hope to others on their journey through the forest. And in every step, may we see the truth of Psalm 119:105 come alive in our hearts: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."